Patients' health education and diabetes control in a developing country.

We previously reported poor metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients attending 2 primary care clinics in Trinidad. In an attempt to explain the poor metabolic control, we assessed primary care patients' theoretical knowledge of diabetes control and risk factors. Two hundred fifty-four diabetic out-patients recruited consecutively were asked by questionnaire: (i) if they were aware that family history of diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and cigarette smoking were diabetes risk factors; (ii) if they knew the benefits of weight loss, exercise and healthy diet in diabetes management, and (iii) what where their common sources of diabetes health information. Although the majority of the patients (81.1%) were unaware that cigarette smoking is a diabetes risk factor, a majority were aware that obesity (66.3%), physical inactivity (73.5%) and being a relative of a diabetic patient (78.7%) constitute diabetes risk factors. Again, the majority of the patients were aware that healthy diet (94.9%), exercise (94.5%) and weight loss (87.4%) are beneficial in diabetes control. While media (48.6%) was the commonest source of diabetes information, doctors and nurses were consulted by 39.9% and 11.0% of patients, respectively. Type 2 diabetic patients in these clinics were well informed about diabetes risk factors and benefits of healthy lifestyle. Given our recent reports on poor metabolic control, application of this theoretical knowledge in controlling their diabetes remains doubtful.

An evaluation of the blood glucose lowering effects of Eryngium foetidium

a single oral dose of the aqueous leaf extract of Eryngium foetidum L. was screened for its blood-sugar lowering action in three animal models: normoglycaemic rats, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and normal rats subjected to the oral glucose-tolerance test. High and low doses (351 mg/kg and 176 mg/kg respectively) of the Eryngium foetidum leaf extract were used. The effects were composed with those produced by 200 mg/kg of the extract of commercial Gymnema sylvestre leaf (positive control 1), 3mg/kg glibenclamide (positive control 2) and 15mg/kg distilled water (negative control). Single (acute) oral dose of E. foetidium leaf extract caused no significant reduction in the blood glucose levels of the three animal models. The effect was similiar to that produced by the glibenclamide (positive control 2). The intraperitoneal acute toxicity test result in mice indicated that the E. foetidium leaf extract up to a dose of 702 mg/kg was not toxic. Phytochemical screening showed that essential oils and saponins were present in this extract. The present study suggests that a single oral dose of the aqueous leaf extract of E. foetidum has no significant blood-sugar lowering activity in healthy and experimental diabetic rats

A preliminary study of the indices of obesity among a select group of apparently healthy Caribbean subjects.

The purpose of this study was to assess the anthropometric indices of obesity among apparently healthy Caribbean subjects who have the potentials of living an affluent lifestyle. One hundred and eleven (38 males, 73 females) young adults aged between 17 and 38 years participated in the study. Subjects provided information on age, ethnic group, educational attainment, occupation, and previous record of body mass index (BMI) and family history of diabetes mellitus in a self-administered research questionnaire. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg) and height (m) were measured. Subsequently, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H) were calculated. The majority of the subjects (83%) had never measured their BMI. Although the male subjects were significantly taller and heavier than the females (p < 0.01), there was no significant difference in the prevalence rates of obesity between the male and female subjects (p > 0.05). In this preliminary study there was a trend for more females than males to be underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m2). The male subjects had significantly higher waist circumference than the females (p < 0.01), but both genders had a similar percentage of male and female subjects with increased waist circumference (p > 0.05). The limitations of this study are its small size and self selection bias and hence the results obtained must be interpreted with caution. We suggest that assessment of body mass index should be incorporated in the routine clinical measurements of all patients to facilitate early identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity.

A preliminary study of the indices of obesity among select group of apparently healthy Caribbean subjects

The purpose of this study was to assess the anthropometric indices of obesity among apparently healthy Caribbean subjects who have the potentials of living an affluent lifestyle. One hundred and eleven (38 males, 73 females) young adults aged between 17 and 38 years participated in the study. Subjects provided information on age, ethnic group, educational attainment, occupation, and previous record of body mass index (BMI) and family history of diabetes mellitus in a self-administered research questionnaire. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg) and height (m) were measured. Subsequently, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H) were calculated. The majority of the subjects (83 percent) had never measured BMI. Although the male subjects were significantly taller and heavier than the females (p<0.01), there was no significant difference in the prevalence rates of obesity between the male and female subjects (p>0.05). In this preliminary study there was a trend for more females than males to be under weight (BMI< 20 kg/m2). The male subjects had significantly higher waist circumference than the females (p< 0.01), but both genders had a similar percentage of male and female subjects with increased waist circumference (p>0.05). The limitations of this study are its small size and self selection bias and hence the results obtained must be interpreted with caution. We suggest that assesment of body mass index should be incorporated in the routine clinical measurements of all patients to facilitate early identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity. (AU)

A preliminary study of the indices of obesity among a select group of apparently healthy Caribbean subjects

The purpose of this study was to assess the anthropometric indices of obesity among apparently healthy Caribbean subjects who have the potentials of living an affluent lifestyle. One hundred and eleven (38 males, 73 females) young adults aged between 17 and 38 years participated in the study. Subjects provided information on age, ethnic group, educational attainment, occupation, and previous record of body mass index (BMI) and family history of diabetes mellitus in a self-administered research questionnaire. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg) and height (m) were measured. Subsequently, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H) were calculated. The majority of the subjects (83) had never measured their BMI. Although the male subjects were significantly taller and heavier than the females (p < 0.01), there was no significant difference in the prevalence rates of obesity between the male and female subjects (p > 0.05). In this preliminary study there was a trend for more females than males to be underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m2). The male subjects had significantly higher waist circumference than the females (p < 0.01), but both genders had a similar percentage of male and female subjects with increased waist circumference (p > 0.05). The limitations of this study are its small size and self selection bias and hence the results obtained must be interpreted with caution. We suggest that assessment of body mass index should be incorporated in the routine clinical measurements of all patients to facilitate early identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity.

Differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors in elderly and younger patients with type 2 diabetes in the West Indies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in elderly (> or = 60 years) and younger patients with Type 2 diabetes visiting two primary care clinics in Trinidad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fasting blood samples were taken from one hundred and ninety-one (127 females, 64 males) patients with Type 2 diabetes visiting two primary care clinics between 1 January and 30 April 2000. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, plasma glucose, serum lipids and insulin were measured. Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) was used to assess basal insulin resistance (IR). RESULTS: Of the 191 patients studied, 58.6% were <60 years old while 41.4% were > or = 60 years old. The younger patients had higher prevalence rates of cigarette smoking and use of alcoholic drinks (p < 0.05). The female younger patients had significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride, total-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and IR than the elderly female patients (p < 0.05). Similarly, the younger male patients had significantly higher mean HbA1c, creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, IR and lower HDL-cholesterol levels than the elderly male patients (p < 0.05). Generally, the younger patients had significantly higher prevalence rates of hypertriglyceridaemia, obesity, poorer glycaemia and blood pressure control. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that younger patients withType 2 diabetes had poorer metabolic control and higher prevalence rates of CVD risk factors than the elderly patients. The greater risk of CVD in younger patients was not independent of gender and ethnicity.

Glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad [abstract]

Healthcare providers working at the primary care setting are often faced with the challenges of providing standard medicare in the absence of adequate resources and facilities. We assessed long-term glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus at primary care clinics in an attempt to suggest an intervention programme to prevent long-term diabetic complications. Twenty-five (14 females, 11 males, mean age: 53.7 ñ 3.2 years) patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (mean (SE) duration: 15.7 ñ 2.0 years) attending two primary care clinics in Trinidad were studied after an overnight fast. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured and blood sample was taken for glucose, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and creatinine determinations. There were no significant differences in the glycaemic exposure and the measured cardiovascular risk factors between male and female patients (p> 0.05). However, more than one-half (56 percent) of the patients had truncal obesity while 96 percent had glycated haemoglobin levels> 7.0 percent. The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolaemia (84 percent), hypertriglyceridaemia (28 percent) and increased LDL-cholesterol levels (88 percent) were high. About 48 percent of the patients had diastolic blood pressure> 83mmHg while 40 percent had total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio greater than 6. We report that patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus attending primary care clinics in Trinidad had poor glycaemic control and high levels of classical cardiovascular risk factors. These patients are at great risk of progressing to cardiovascular disease and therefore efforts at strict glycaemic control and protection against long-term diabetic complications should be intensified at primary care levels. (AU)

Cardiovascular risk factors in obese and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad [abstract]

Obesity is a major health problem in developed and developing countries. It is even more devastating in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and may increase the risk burden to cardiovascular disease. We evlauated the impact of obesity on `long-term' glycaemic control and the risk of progressing to cardiovascular disease in obese and non-obese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending two primary care clinics in Trinidad. One hundred and ninety (58 obese, 132 non-obese) patients (diabetes duration, mean (SE): 9.2 ñ 0.7 years) were studied after an overnight fast. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured and blood samples taken for glucose, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and creatinine determinations. About 85 percent of the patients had glycated haemoglobin levels> 7.0 percent, 48 percent had diastolic BP> 83 mmHg while 40 percent had total cholesterol/ LDL-cholesterol ratio greater than 6. The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, high BP and ratios of total cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol between the obese and non-obese patients were similar (p> 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that ethnicity, gender, age and duration of diabetes mellitus partly contributed to the cardiovascular risk in non-obese patients (p< 0.01), but not in obese patients (p>0.05). Although both the obese and non-obese diabetic patients are at risk of cardiovascular disease, the risk of obese patients was largely due to increased body mass. We suggest strict metabolic control and improved diabetes mellitus health education on weight reduction and control at primary health care clinics. (AU)

Classical cardiovascular risk factors in Trinidadian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are not influenced by the level of plasma glycaemia

The aim of this study is to assess the plasma glycaemia of patients attending the diabetes mellitus outpatients' clinics in Trinidad and to determine how different plasma glycaemia would affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. One hundred and ninety-one patients (64 males, 127 females, mean age 56.6 +/- 0.8 yr) with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean duration 9.2 +/- 0.6 yr) attending diabetes mellitus clinics from January to April 2000 participated in the study. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) and blood pressure were measured and overnight fasting blood samples were collected for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol) and creatinine determinations. The patients were categorized into Group 1 ('well controlled'; HbA1c < 7.0) and Group 2 ('poorly controlled'; HbA1c > 7.0). Although the majority (85) of patients were poorly controlled', there were no significant differences in the age, duration of diabetes mellitus, body mass index and waist/hip ratios between the two groups of patients (p > 0.05). Similarly, the blood pressure and lipid (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) levels did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05) although triglyceride (1.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/L) levels were higher in patients in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that the levels of blood pressure, lipid and anthropometric parameters were not significantly dependent on the plasma glycaemia of the patients (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data has shown that the majority of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending primary care clinics in Trinidad had poor glycaemic control. The poorly controlled patients had similar levels of CVD risk factors to 'well controlled' patients although the former were potentially at greater risk of progressing to cardiovascular disorder than 'well controlled' patients.

Differences in glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes in West Indies.

There are limited resources and facilities at primary care clinics in most developing countries. Medical professionals are often faced with the challenges of providing standard health care delivery in the absence of adequate resources. We aimed to evaluate the long-term glycemic control and risk of cardiovascular disease in multi-ethnic groups of diabetic patients attending primary care clinics in Trinidad. One hundred and ninety-one (127 females, 64 males, mean age 56.6 years) patients with type 2 diabetes (mean duration 9.2 years) attending primary care clinics in Trinidad were studied after a 12 to 14-h overnight fast. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were measured, and a blood sample was taken for glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. and creatinine determinations. About 85% of patients had glycated hemoglobin levels >7.0%, 31% had central obesity, 49% had diastolic blood pressure >83 mmHg, while 40% had a total-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio greater than 6. In comparison with males, female patients had significantly higher levels of total-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol independent of obesity (P<0.01) while male patients of East Indian descent had the highest risk of cardiovascular disease compared with males of any other ethnic group (P<0.01). In conclusion patients with type 2 diabetes attending primary care clinics in Trinidad had poor glycemic control. Female and male patients of Indian ethnic group were at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease. Efforts at strict glycemic control and protection against microvascular complications should be intensified at primary care levels.

Cardiovascular risk in obese and nonobese patients with type 2 diabetes in the West Indies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of obesity on glycemic control and the risk of progressing to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in obese and nonobese type 2 diabetic patients in primary care settings. METHODS: One hundred and ninety patients (64 men, 126 women) with type 2 diabetes (mean duration 9.2 years) were studied after an overnight fast. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured and blood samples were taken for glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and creatinine determinations. RESULTS: About 85% of the patients had HbA(1c) levels > 7.0%, and 48% had a diastolic blood pressure (BP) >83 mm Hg, while 40% had a total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio greater than 6. The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high BP and ratios of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol between the obese and nonobese patients were similar irrespective of sex (p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that ethnicity, sex, age and duration of diabetes had significant impact on the cardiovascular risk in this population. CONCLUSION: Both obese and nonobese diabetic patients had poor glycemic control and their risk of CVD was not independent of age, sex, ethnicity and duration of diabetes. We suggest strict metabolic control and improved diabetes health education at the primary care level.

Evaluation of Trinidad and Tobago traditional medicine I: effects of traditional folk remedy on diarrhoea

Hot aqueous extract of bark of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew), commonly used in Trinidadian folk medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea was evaluated for antidiarrhoeal activity. The extract inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats as judged by a decrease in the number of wet faeces in the extract-treated rats. The extract was also inhibited the propulsive movement of intestinal contents in mice. The extract showed no direct effect on the isolated guinea-pig ileum, however, it inhibited in a dose-related manner the contractile effects of acetylcholine, histamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine. The inhibitary effects on these agonists were non competitive in nature. Phytochemical tests revealed the main constituents as tannin, steroids, triterpenoid and carbohydrates. The results indicates that action of A. occidentale bark extract could be through a combination of inhibition of elevated transmitter released and reduced propulsive movement of the small intestine. There is merit in the folk medicinal use of the extract (AU)

Evaluation of features of syndrome X in offspring of Caribbean patients with Type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the features of metabolic syndrome X are more common in offspring of patients with Type 2 diabetes than in control subjects without immediate family history of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four young offspring of patients with Type 2 diabetes and 27 healthy control subjects underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT; 75 g glucose in 300 ml water). Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, plasma glucose, serum lipids and insulin levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to assess basal insulin resistance (IR) and sensitivity (%S). RESULTS: The offspring had significantly higher mean+/-SD BMI (p<0.01) and basal serum triglyceride (p<0.05), insulin (p<0.05), insulin/glucose ratio (p<0.01), and lower %S (p<0.001) than the control subjects, in spite of similar fasting plasma glucose concentrations. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that these differences were independent of BMI. Although, the two groups of subjects had similar serum HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure levels, %S was significantly related to diastolic BP (p<0.01) and serum triglyceride levels (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the healthy control subjects, the insulin resistant offspring have higher levels of the identified syndrome X features independent of obesity. These features were quantitatively lower than the values reported in offspring of white Caucasian and African-American patients.

Insulin secretion in glucose-tolerant offspring of type 2 diabetes patients in Trinidad, West Indies.

BACKGROUND: Genetics and environmental factors play vital roles in type 2 diabetes. To gain insight into its pathogenesis, early study of offspring of affected patients is needed. METHODS: Thirty-four offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes and 27 nondiabetic control subjects matched for sex, height, weight, and waist-to-hip ratio had standard oral glucose tolerance tests (75 g glucose in 300 mL water). Homeostasis model assessment was used in measuring insulin resistance and sensitivity. RESULTS: Offspring had significantly higher mean fasting serum insulin (126.6 +/- 10.3 vs 87.5 +/- 6.9 pmol/L), incremental insulin at 30 to 150 minutes, and body mass index and lower insulin sensitivity than control subjects (49.9% +/- 3.1% vs. 71.9% +/- 5.6%), despite similar fasting plasma glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: As in other populations, the offspring of Caribbean patients with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for development of diabetes independent of obesity.

Classical cardiovascular risk factors in Trinidadian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are not influenced by the level of plasma glycaemia.

The aim of this study is to assess the plasma glycaemia of patients attending the diabetes mellitus outpatients' clinics in Trinidad and to determine how different plasma glycaemia would affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. One hundred and ninety-one patients (64 males, 127 females, mean age 56.6 +/- 0.8 yr) with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean duration 9.2 +/- 0.6 yr) attending diabetes mellitus clinics from January to April 2000 participated in the study. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) and blood pressure were measured and overnight fasting blood samples were collected for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol) and creatinine determinations. The patients were categorized into Group 1 ('well controlled'; HbA1c < 7.0%) and Group 2 ('poorly controlled'; HbA1c > 7.0%). Although the majority (85%) of patients were poorly controlled', there were no significant differences in the age, duration of diabetes mellitus, body mass index and waist/hip ratios between the two groups of patients (p > 0.05). Similarly, the blood pressure and lipid (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) levels did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05) although triglyceride (1.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/L) levels were higher in patients in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that the levels of blood pressure, lipid and anthropometric parameters were not significantly dependent on the plasma glycaemia of the patients (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data has shown that the majority of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending primary care clinics in Trinidad had poor glycaemic control. The poorly controlled patients had similar levels of CVD risk factors to 'well controlled' patients although the former were potentially at greater risk of progressing to cardiovascular disorder than 'well controlled' patients.

Early metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus among offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes are independent of gender

The aim of the study was to investigate if the female offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes have more metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus than their male counterparts. Thirty-four offspring (10 males, 24 females) of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 28.9ñ 1.5 years (mean ñ SEM) underwent a standared oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT; 75 g glucose in 300 ml water). Antropometric indices, plasma lipids and blood pressure were measured while insulin resistance (IR) and sensitivity (percent S) were assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) method. All the offspring had normal glucose tolerance but high HOMA-derived IR values (27.2 ñ 4.2 vs 22.5 ñ 2.7 pmol/mmol/l, p>0.05) and low percent S (48.1 ñ 5.1 vs. 50.6 ñ 3.9 percent, p>0.05), all of which did not differ on gender comparisons. Multiple linear regression analyses suggest that gender had no influence on the outcome of the result (p = 0.37). Again, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum insulin, plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were all similar in both genders (p>0.05). The results suggest that though the offspring manifested metabolic defects for developing diabetes in later life, this susceptibility is independent of gender in the population studied. Further studies with a large sample size are warranted to confirm these finding in this population.(Au)

Early metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus among offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes are independent of gender

The aim of the study was to investigate if the female offspring of patients with Type 2 diabetes have more metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus than their male counterparts. Thirty-four offspring (10 males, 24 females) of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 28.9 +/- 1.5 years (mean +/- SEM) underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT; 75 g glucose in 300 ml water). Anthropometric indices, plasma lipids and blood pressure were measured while insulin resistance (IR) and sensitivity (S) were assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) method. All the offspring had normal glucose tolerance but high HOMA-derived IR values (27.2 +/- 4.2 vs. 22.5 +/- 2.7 pmol/mmol/l, p > 0.05) and low S (48.1 +/- 5.1 vs. 50.6 +/- 3.9, p > 0.05), all of which did not differ on gender comparisons. Multiple linear regression analyses suggest that gender had no influence on the outcome of the result (p = 0.37). Again, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum insulin, plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were all similar in both genders (p > 0.05). The results suggest that though the offspring manifested metabolic defects for developing diabetes in later life, this susceptibility is independent of gender in the population studied. Further studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these findings in this population.

Early metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus among offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes are independent of gender.

The aim of the study was to investigate if the female offspring of patients with Type 2 diabetes have more metabolic defects for developing diabetes mellitus than their male counterparts. Thirty-four offspring (10 males, 24 females) of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 28.9 +/- 1.5 years (mean +/- SEM) underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT; 75 g glucose in 300 ml water). Anthropometric indices, plasma lipids and blood pressure were measured while insulin resistance (IR) and sensitivity (%S) were assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) method. All the offspring had normal glucose tolerance but high HOMA-derived IR values (27.2 +/- 4.2 vs. 22.5 +/- 2.7 pmol/mmol/l, p > 0.05) and low %S (48.1 +/- 5.1 vs. 50.6 +/- 3.9%, p > 0.05), all of which did not differ on gender comparisons. Multiple linear regression analyses suggest that gender had no influence on the outcome of the result (p = 0.37). Again, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum insulin, plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were all similar in both genders (p > 0.05). The results suggest that though the offspring manifested metabolic defects for developing diabetes in later life, this susceptibility is independent of gender in the population studied. Further studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these findings in this population.

Neuropsychopharmacologic properties of a Schumanniophyton problematicum root extract.

Schumanniophyton problematicum is a plant popular among Nigerian native healers for the treatment of psychotic patients (madness). An extract obtained by ethanol extraction of the roots caused reductions in respiratory rate, body and limb tone, startle response and spontaneous locomotor activity after i.p. injection in mice, and was capable of inhibiting amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotypic behaviour. It also induced passivity, piloerection, hypothermia and prolonged pentobarbital sleeping time. The i.p. LD50 of the extract in mice was 2.37 g/kg. The effects of the extract appear to be due to depression of central and autonomic system.